"Oh, yes," said Margot, "she is very ugly."
"She wants to find a hat," said Madame, "which would only suit a bébé. Now then, come. You and I we will go to her and show her what is right. Thou must flatter her into buying a Parisian chapeau. She would look absurd with her own ideas."
"I thought this—this was a school," said poor little Margot, raising her brown eyes and fixing them on Madame Marcelle.
"So it is a school, ma petite Comtesse, and of the most wonderful, the most extraordinaire. Ah, Madame la Comtesse is right to have you taught. A little knowledge goes a long way when it is acquired as I will teach it. Now, then, stand aside and listen. You will soon learn. I manage in this school of all schools the best. Come! Hold my hand."
She brought the pretty child forward and stood right in front of the red-faced lady.
"You want a chapeau, Madame. Ah, c'est drôle, ne c'est pas? That is for la bébé." She pointed with scorn at the tiny hat. "Here is one for you. See, I am in the despair to oblige you, but behold I have the very thing."
Madame produced a hat from off its stand, covered with flowers, butterflies and small feathers of different colours.
"Behold for yourself, Madame! It came from Paris yesterday."
"It is too showy. I like the little hat best," said Madame of the red face.
"Let me speak," suddenly interrupted little Margot. "Your face behold! it is red and must be softened. You shall wear brown. See, I picture it in my eye," continued Margot, speaking as though she had been acting shop-woman all her days. "A brown hat très doux and one long feather to match. Have you such a hat, Madame?" exclaimed little Margot.